Valet parking company got a ticket with our car

We went on holiday in April and got a valet parking service at Bristol Airport which we had used before.



A while ago we got a penalty notice showing the driver who had picked up the car tailgating a car to avoid paying the exit charge. The image of the driver on the letter looks nothing like either of us.


We disputed and showed the booking conversation and evidence of us in airport at time of the alleged breach of contract. The conversation over WhatsApp did confirm the date and time, and other parts of the conversation clearly show we were in the airport and had handed the car over.


The charging company came back and said because we don't have a receipt, it is not enough evidence and that we were still liable.



We have since now had a debt collector contact us asking for the money. We explained to them the situation, they responded that they are just acting on behalf of their client.


I can't see any other claims of this exact nature on her or MSE (although I suspect its probably the same) but would appreciate advice / what to expect next.


many thanks

Please read http://www.ftla.uk/private-parking-tickets/read-this-first-private-parking-charges-forum-guide/ and post the information requested.

Stop talking or otherwise communicating with debt collectors in any way. They are powerless and only try and intimidate you into payment with red ink and copious references to “CCJ” and so on.

You will next likely receive a Letter of Claim from a solicitor, to which you should reply, and if you intend on defending this you need to prepare a defence to a county court claim. There are many similar cases documented on this forum. But until you give us more specific details we’re limited in the advice we can give you.

ah, my bad - I will grab some images when I get home!

The driver is responsible for any alleged infringement, by reading the signs and entering into a contract.

The liability can be transferred to the registered keeper if the requirements of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 are complied with. One option is for the registered keeper to nominate the driver within 28 days of the alleged contravention.

This time has now long passed, so the parking company will likely maintain that the registered keeper is now liable to pay the fee, which is an invoice for parking under the terms displayed.

VCS are especially litigious and will likely pursue you for payment. However some of this is guesswork, so let’s wait until you’re able to provide more details. Look up “Jake Burgess”, for example.

One option is for the registered keeper to nominate the driver within 28 days of the alleged contravention.

With respect, I don't think so.

The creditor may not pursue the keeper if at any stage prior to legal proceedings being commenced they are made aware of the driver's name and details for service.

Weirdly, having not really seen any such similar cases that I can recall, this is the second such example within 2 days: APCOA LHR T5 Short Stay Penalty - Meet & Greet

As above, once we've seen all the relevant documents (including your appeal and their response) we'll be better placed to advice.

Another point, which sounds like pedantry but isn't, you refer to 'we' throughout. From a legal perspective there is no 'we'. Your vehicle is registered to one individual. It is that person alone who is being pursued, and all correspondence, up to and including any court action, must be done by them/in their name.

The creditor may not pursue the keeper if at any stage prior to legal proceedings being commenced they are made aware of the driver's name and details for service.

Correct.